Captains

Captain Poll – Gameweek 29

There may be one match remaining in the current round of fixtures, but we are already looking ahead with the launch of our latest Captain Poll, gauging your views on the best captaincy option for Gameweek 29.

Mohamed Salah (10.5) dominated polling last time out and attracted just under half the votes cast. During Liverpool’s 4-1 home victory over West Ham, the Egyptian rewarded that show of faith with a third successive double-digit Fantasy Premier League points haul.

Indeed, Salah was the top captain in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) for the second straight Gameweek, with over 1.6m managers handing him the armband.

At home to a Newcastle side with a single clean sheet in their last 12 road trips this Saturday evening, he looks poised to add to an impressive 23-goal tally. Over the last four Gameweeks, Rafa Benitez’s troops have conceded 42 penalty area shots, an unwelcome record they share with basement-dwellers West Brom.

The Magpies’ poor defensive form strengthens the captaincy appeal of both Roberto Firmino (9.3) and Sadio Mane (9.4).

Firmino’s strike against the Hammers was his fourth goal in the last six Gameweeks, over which time he has also earned two assists and seven bonus points.

Mane is also in strong form, also netting against West Ham and scoring a hat-trick in his previous run out, against Porto in the Champions League. No player registered more shots (six) or efforts on target (three) in Gameweek 28 than the Senegal international.

Harry Kane (12.9) managed a quarter of the votes in our Gameweek 28 poll, but it would be no surprise to see this increase this time around as Spurs welcome Huddersfield to Wembley. He and Salah have been the top two captain picks in FPL for four of the last five Gameweeks.

A late winner against Crystal Palace on Sunday was Kane’s 35th goal in 36 appearances this season, maintaining his relentless scoring streak. Furthermore, Kane bagged a brace against the Terriers in the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign.

The Spurs striker has notched a league-high 95 shots in home matches, 28 more than second-placed Salah.

Christian Eriksen (9.3) presents a differential armband option in the Spurs ranks – he fired five attempts against the Eagles and provided the assist for Kane’s goal.

One caveat to backing Spurs assets is that they could see their minutes curtailed in the latter stages of the match, as they face a vital home encounter with Juventus in the Champions League four days later, with the tie finely poised at 2-2.

Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez (8.7) was another to post impressive underlying statistics in Gameweek 28, matching Mane’s six shots in the Foxes’ 1-1 home clash with Stoke.

This weekend Claude Puel’s side host a Bournemouth outfit that, over the last four Gameweeks, has conceded 64 efforts on goal – only West Brom (68) have shipped more.

Mahrez’s team-mate Jamie Vardy (8.7) only managed one shot against the Potters, but goals in each of the Foxes’ previous five in all competitions shows that he shouldn’t be overlooked.

None of Manchester United’s assets managed more than 1% of the vote last time out, but a trip to Crystal Palace on the back of a 2-1 home victory over Chelsea yesterday indicates they should fare better in Gameweek 29’s poll.

Romelu Lukaku (11.2)’s goal, assist and maximum bonus against the Blues helped him claim a first double-digit points haul since Gameweek 5 and could see him emerge as the leading Red Devils captaincy candidate.

With only one goal in his four Manchester United appearances, Alexis Sanchez (11.7) remains an under-the-radar option. However, the Chilean’s 11 shots over that spell – the same as Lukaku – suggest that further returns are just around the corner.

With James Tomkins limping off against Spurs to add to their worries at the back and with Timothy Fosu-Mensah unable to face his parent club, the Eagles are facing an injury crisis in defence.

Chelsea’s trip to Manchester City could provide goals, given that Antonio Conte’s side have shipped nine over their last four, just two behind West Brom’s league-low tally of 11. Meanwhile, the hosts have only kept one clean sheet in their last six outings.

For the Sky Blues Kevin De Bruyne (10.4) looks a strong option, having created more chances (53) and registered more assists (12) than any other player on familiar turf.

Sergio Aguero (12.0) has also impressed at home, where he has scored a record 15 goals. The Argentine should be in particularly confident mood having found the net in yesterday’s 3-0 Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal. However, Gabriel Jesus’ return from injury at the weekend will now put question marks over his fellow forward’s pitch-time over the run-in.

We also need to keep a close eye on the City teamsheet for Thursday’s trip to Arsenal, withRaheem Sterling (8.9) hoping to have recovered from a hamstring injury. Should he look to be fit enough to start against Chelsea at the weekend, the winger could prove an intriguing captaincy option with 10 goals and five assists at the Etihad.

For the visitors Eden Hazard (10.7) is another enticing armband pick, with attacking returns, including two 16-point hauls, in each of his last four league run outs.

The poll is now live in the middle column on your homepage on desktop, or via the slide-in menu on mobile and tablet under recent comments.

Remember, we are looking for your vote for the player you think will be most effective, regardless of whether you own them or not.

We will be back to check in on progress in the poll later ahead of the Gameweek 29 deadline when we deliver our “Captain Sensible” article offering an analysis of the results and the statistics behind the leading contenders.

J0E Podcaster and writer. Tweets stats and stuff via @FFScout_Joe Follow them on Twitter

614 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Keane or Williams who is more nailed at Everton ? Thank 🙂

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Williams

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

  2. arndff_
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Is Bavies a rotation risk?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      I'd say so

    2. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Doubt he will play this weekend before the Juventus match

      Can see Rose getting a run out in the FA Cup and PL game this week

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks, Syd!

        A friend of mine asked me what to do with Jones. His other defenders are:

        VVD Maguire Hegazi Mbemba

        1. Syd.
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          United don't play until Monday night so there is plenty of time for him to get fit

          1. arndff_
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            Cheers!

  3. Scotty B
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    If this was your team what would you do this week?

    Adrian
    TAA Otamendi Alonso
    Ibe Walcott Shaqiri Sterling Salah
    Kane Firmino

    Elliot Quaner Duffy Schindler

    2.5m ITB, 1 FT

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Wait. But possibly Pickford for Adrian.

  4. Effendi007
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Any good replacement options for Azpili?
    Currently have Fernandez, VVD, Chilwell and Long
    Skeptical about Davies starting the next match but any recommendations welcome

  5. Collie01
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Any idea how weather will affect things?

    Looking at forecasts, I'd say there's a fair chance the City-Ars game will be PP due to snow this Thursday.

    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Good chance of Citeh/Ars being PP alright. Hard to know how it will affect w/end games.

  6. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    I have 8 players currently for gw31.

    Sterling to Shaq or Arnie?

    Shaq has poor fixtures.

  7. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling -> Dele Alli

    I know it might sound crazy but I am actually considering to get Alli for the next two games.

    - He is due to score since he never blanked more than 3 times in a row.
    - HUD and bou next are great fixtures

    1. xRedArrow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      You must have a huge value in Sterling and I feel he’s a premium mid with a good price (7.9-8.4 depending when u got him) which is vital when u WC for DGWs.

      1. Boomerang V
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 1 month ago

        Yes I got him for 8.1 so I have .8 attached.

        The thing is I am afraid he might be rotated a lot once the league is wrapped up so I am not planning on keeping him on my gw32 WC.

        1. xRedArrow
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 1 month ago

          Even for WC he’s a kind of enabler I think you hold him for DGW34 which he could be devastating even with rotation risk.

          The only problem is UCL now and the QF/SF which are later.

          Pep will go hard till he gets 6 more wins. Imo ditch him post DGW34.

          PS - Alli is not worth that risk, I can be onboard with Mane given he has a GW31 fixture

          1. Boomerang V
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 1 month ago

            good points. I agree Alli is a great risk it has been a disappointing season with him.

            cheers

    2. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      The Value tied up in Sterling and Salah means I’m never touching them... will just bench Sterling for the blank ... il be wildcarding in GW32

  8. xRedArrow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Phil Jones (cry,LIV,blank)

    A) Hold
    B) Sell

    1. ILOVEBAPS
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Sell

  9. xRedArrow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Which team is best for potential cleans for next 3: (already have Pickford/VVD)

    A) Huddersfield (spurs,SWA,cry)
    B) Everton (bur,BHA,sto)
    C) Bournemouth (lei,TOT,WBM)
    D) West Brom (wat,LEI,bou)
    E) Stoke (sot, MCI, EVE)

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      Everton I guess, maybe Stoke

    2. Boomerang V
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 1 month ago

      B
      E
      A/D
      C

  10. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    Neymar suffered sprained ankle and fractured metatarsal in yesterdays match.

  11. subhojit123
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 1 month ago

    WHO vs WHOM

    Both Arsenal and leicester hav great run of fixtures from now. I already have Ramsey. Whom should I get among Mikhi / Mahrez?
    And between KDB or Sterling whom should I replace to achieve it?